HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

TIME OFF FOR CANCER SCREENING

WHEREAS, approximately 1,228,600 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year, and 552,200 Americans are expected to die of cancer; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society has identified cancer as the second leading cause of death in the United States; and

WHEREAS, according to the American Cancer Society, appropriate and regular pre-cancer screening may reduce cancer deaths by up to fifty percent; and

WHEREAS, early detection of cancer can lead to effective treatment of the disease and detection is critical to survival in battling breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, oral cancer and skin cancer; and

WHEREAS, many cities in the United States have already adopted employee-friendly policies to encourage time off for cancer screening, including Boston, which has demonstrated through its implementation of this policy that it can be very successful in early detection and treatment of cancer and lead to healthier lives for government employees

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the Administration to encourage that all Federal employees undergo pre-cancer screening; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the Administration to make available up to four hours of paid time per year to each federal employee for the purpose of undergoing pre-cancer screening.